An understood and agreed strategy of communication

Building design and construction are activities which involve presentation and manipulation of information and ideas as the processes move forward, usually referred to as ‘progress’.
Individuals and groups frequently need to exchange information, ask each other questions, provide answers, make suggestions or proposals, persuade each other to adopt courses of action, confirm requirements and issue instructions. 

Building design as a collective approach to developing and managing information.

Professionalism described in the previous posts relies on forming successful working relationships, a two-way process of communication between people, building up confidence in each others ability to understand what is happening. Building design and later construction are not abstract processes undertaken in individual isolation. They are both reliant on a collective approach to developing and managing information. At various times throughout the lifespan of the project, ideas are discussed informally or presented formally for consideration. Documents are issued to interested parties recording outcome for guidance or future reference. Some are routine, may be of limited significance, but others are important, marking key points along the way as the new building materializes, firstly on paper and then on the ground.

Discussion points

1. Is design about ‘sparks’ of ideas or patient methodology? Why should building designers challenge the notion that ‘the customer knows best’? Why do different designers think of different solutions?

2. Will increasing labour shortages and use of prefabrication lead to standardization of new buildings? Will standardization eliminate the need for ‘one-off’ building design? Will factory production lead to ‘perfect’ buildings which never wear out?

3. What criteria could or should be used for judging the quality of the built environment? Who is entitled to judge the quality of a completed building? How should building designers and developers respond to public opinion?

4. What is the value of innovation in terms of user benefit? What are the main barriers to innovation in the construction industry? Does design guidance stifle good design and limit expectations?

Pre-contract and post-contract stages

The building designer’s involvement varies with each type of development depending on defined levels of responsibility required by the client. At the picture illustrates the main differences between the design and build and the traditional procurement processes. The traditional stages in the creation of a new building can be defined as pre-contract prior to commencement of work on site, describing the building in theoretical terms and post-contract once construction has commenced.

The development teams - Contractors

A contractor is a person who undertakes or contracts to provide the materials, equipment (plant) and labors required to construct the new building. The contractors personnel may include:

•    Managers
Directors, contract or project managers, site agents or general foremen and trade foremen.

•    Finance and administration
Estimators, programme planners, buyers and valuation surveyors.

•    Site engineers
For setting out and dimensional co-ordination.

•    Operatives
Trades people (bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, plumbers, etc.), laborers.

•    Subcontractors

Subcontractors are independent companies employed for the duration of their work on the specific project for specialist trades such as roofing, steel frames and cladding.

The development teams - Authorities

The authorities advise on design and construction, and have statutory duties to exert control with respect to their individual responsibility. The authorities involved in building development include:

•    Local Authorities
County, District, Borough, City and Parish Councils who have interests in Planning, Building
Control, rating and licenses, grants, domestic drainage, environmental health, waste disposal, street cleaning, highways and transport, highways drainage, street lighting and street naming.

The development teams - Consultants

The consultants supply design and management expertise and can include the following:

•    Measurement surveyors and investigators
Land surveyors for the measurement and production of information about the site; sub-soil exploration subcontractors and laboratory testing consultants; ground contamination experts; photographers of underground pipe work and aerial views; building surveyors for the preparation of reports on the condition of existing buildings.

The development teams - Clients

Creating a new building involves contributions from many individuals, exchanging ideas and instructions as the project is developed. They can be grouped as clients, consultants, authorities and builders or contractors.

Clients

The client is responsible for commissioning the new building and must approve design decisions as work proceeds. Different types of client include the following:

•    Owners
Clients may be individuals, partners or shareholders who’s ownership permits them personally or collectively to make decisions.

•    Representatives
Directors, managers or in-house specialists responsible for day-to-day activity may have the power to make decisions, but may also be required to seek the approval of the owners.

•    Committees
Clients may take the form of a management committee, comprising professional or lay membership, making collective decisions based on professional advice or on their own experience or feelings.

•    Users
Prospective purchasers or even tenants may fill the role of the client, making decisions based on their specific preferences. For example, a residential developer may give their prospective purchasers the opportunity to determine aspects of the design and construction of their future house to suit their own particular needs.